Table Talk Newsletter #33

Thank you to all who submitted number puzzles to share with others. I have taken a couple and compiled them here. As a thank you, I will be sending a signed copy of my upcoming book, Table Talk Math, to each of the families. My challenge to you is to try these out with your child and see if you can come up with the algebraic expression it is building.

Challenge 1, from Dylan (1st grade) in Wisconsin:

Pick any number

Add 10 to your number

Take away 3 from that number

Take away 8 from that number

Add 5 to that number

Subtract that number by your original number.

What did you get?

Dylan got 4, but how? What does the expression look like?

Thanks to Dylan and his dad, Thomas, for sharing. Make sure you email your conversation and result:john@tabletalkmath.com

Challenge 2, from Aleysa (6th grade) in Texas:

Pick any number

Multiply your number by 4

Multiply that number by 2

Subtract 6 from your number

Add 11 to your number

Add 3 to your number

Divide your number by 8

Subtract your original number from your new number

What did you get?

Aleysa got 1, but how? All that work for an answer of ONE?! What is the expression that her challenge created?

Thanks to Aleysa and her mom, Tatyannah, for sharing. Make sure you email your conversation and result:john@tabletalkmath.com

Next week, I will be showing you a picture that is sure to get the table talking. In the meantime, continue creating puzzles with your child and please share them with me. This has been fun to see the replies from all of you who have sent something in.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me on Twitter (@TableTalkMath) or comment below. Be sure to have your friends sign up for the newsletter at tabletalkmath.com for weekly updates.

Thank you for taking the time to improve math fluency for children, one table talk conversation at a time.